THE COMMISSIONING OF A LAY WORKER OR COUNCILLOR

NOTE: It is recommended that the person to be commissioned should have a rule of life with regard to such matters as daily prayer, Bible reading, the Sacraments, giving. This should be approved by the bishop, or parish priest, or chaplain.

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Almighty God, the Father of lights, the giver of all good gifts, pour out your Holy Spirit on your people in this diocese and on those whom you call to your service in the different ministries of your Church; that through their faith and fellowship your holy Name may be glorified and your Church be strengthened in your service; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

THE BLESSING OF THE CROSS OR BADGE

V. Our help is in the Name of the Lord.
R. Who made heaven and earth.

V. Lord, hear our prayer.
R. And let our cry come to you.

V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with you.

Let us pray

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, by the will of the Father you saved the world by shedding your blood on the cross We ask you to bless this cross, as a sign of your victory over sin and death and as a symbol of our salvation. Grant that he who will wear it and those who will look upon it may ever remember your saving Passion, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
 

THE PROMISES

My brother (sister), you stand before God and this congregation to receive your cross in token that you are a ...... This is no small thing to be undertaken carelessly without thought of the work that you are being called to do. And I demand therefore, do you ...... truly believe that God has called you to do this work in His Name?
Answer: I believe so.

Will you try always to do your work as well as you can, and at all times cheerfully to obey those put in authority over you.
Answer: I will.

Do you promise to obey the rules of this ...... and at all times to be loyal and faithful?
Answer: I do.

Will you at all times try to live the Christian life and by word and deed make yourself a worthy example to those among whom you live, seeking always the glory of God and the good of his people.
Answer: I will try to do this, with the help of God.

As you cannot keep these promises and do your work in your own strength will you regularly call on the help of God by keeping your rule of life.
Answer: I will.

The officiant holds the person’s right hand saying:

N ...... I commission you to be a ...... in ...... May God himself strengthen you in your promises and always keep you in his loving care.

...... take this cross as a sign of your calling. Bear it as a true servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, doing nothing to bring shame or dishonour upon it, and at all times try to be worthy and faithful to him who died for you and all men and who is alive for evermore, in the Name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

God, who is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the ending of all things keep you in the good thing you have undertaken in his Name.

(A hymn may now be sung)

Let us pray

V. Lord save this your servant,
R. Who puts his trust in you.

V. Lord send him help from your holy place,
R. And always defend him.

V. Be to him a tower of strength,
R. From the face of the enemy.

V. Lord hear our prayer
R. And let our cry come to you.

Let us pray

God, you want everyone to be saved and come to know the truth. We pray that you will send out workers to gather in your harvest and to preach your word with power, that all people may come to worship you the only true God; Through him whom you sent, Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.

Lord, remember what you have done in us and not what we deserve, and as you have called. us to your service make us worthy of our calling: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the Lord bless you and keep you, may the Lord lift up the light of his glory upon you and give you peace, and may the blessing of almighty God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be with you and stay with you now, and evermore. Amen.
 

SERVICE FOR THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH.

The bishop and those attending him are met outside the main entrance by the priest, who says:

Bishop ...... we ask you to dedicate this church to the service of God.

Bishop: We are now ready to begin the dedication.

The bishop will then lead the procession around the outside of the church, singing a hymn or saying the litany. On reaching the front door of the church, the bishop says:

May it please you to bless and make holy this place and this altar, and may your angels watch over it.

Then the bishop strikes the door-post of the church with his pastoral staff and says:

Fling wide the gates, open the ancient doors, and the great king will come in! (Psalm 24v9-10 T.E.V.)

Those inside the church ask: Who is the great king?

The bishop replies: The Lord of armies, he is the great king.

Then the bishop says: OPEN!

The church doors are opened and the bishop makes the sign of the cross on the floor with his pastoral staff, saying:

See the sign of the cross. All spirits of evil leave this place!

The bishop enters the church and says:

Peace be to this house from God the Father in heaven.
Peace be to this house from his Son who is our Peace.
Peace be to this house from the Holy Spirit, the Comforter.

A hymn may be sung while the congregation move into the church. The bishops and attendants go to the chancel. The bishop says:

My dear people, it has been the custom of the Church of God to build places in which people can meet for the worship of God, and by blessing them we set them apart from ordinary use, keeping them only for worship and prayer. This custom helps people to see how much we love God and gives us a place in which we can praise him. The building itself reminds us all to honour God by worship and service. It invites us to hear his holy Word and to receive the Sacraments. It is a holy place to which we can come at any time to pray and be still. We believe that the building of this church is pleasing to God, and we ask his blessing on the work that has been done in his name. So now we pray together in silence.

Then the Veni Creator—”Come Holy Ghost, our souls inspire” or some other suitable hymn may be sung.

Bishop: Our help is in the name of the Lord.
People: Who has made heaven and earth.

Bishop: Let us pray.

Almighty God, you are greater than the heavens, and we know that a house made by our hands can never be good enough for you, yet you have promised through your Son Jesus Christ—the word made man—that when two or three come together in your name you are with them. And so we ask you to be with us as we come together to dedicate this holy place to your honour and glory, to be used for the teaching of the Gospel, the administration of the sacraments, and for other holy uses. May your glory always remain in this building. May those who come here to find you be filled with the everlasting light of your love, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

THE BENEDICTIONS.

The hymn—”We love the place, O God....” or some other may be sung.
 

BLESSING THE FONT.

Lord, we pray that this font which we now bless in your name may be a place of new birth for all who will be baptised in it, so that being washed and made holy by your Holy Spirit, they will die to sin and rise again to new life, always to remain with your faithful people, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
 

BLESSING THE CHANCEL STEP.

A. Place for Confirmation

Lord we pray that all who come here to kneel before you to receive your blessing in the laying on of hands will be strengthened by your Holy Spirit the Comforter, and will grow every day stronger in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ by the power of your Spirit, until they come to your everlasting kingdom, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

B. Place for Marriage

Lord we pray that all those who will be joined together in marriage will keep the holy promises that they make and live together in perfect love and peace, obeying your laws, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

C. Place for the Dead.

Father we pray that, as the bodies of those who have died in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ are brought here before they are laid in the grave, so their souls may rest in peace. Give to them, Lord, the gift of eternal life, so that at the resurrection they will rise to glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

D. Place for Confession.

Father, we pray that you will hear the words of those who come to confess their sins and to ask for your forgiveness. May they be washed clean of all their wrongdoing by the saving act of your Son, Jesus Christ, and be restored to you through him who is our Saviour and our Lord. Amen.

E. Place for Offering Prayers (The prayer Desk).

Lord we ask you to hear the prayers of your people. Make their hearts clean and their spirits holy. Fill their minds with thoughts of you, so that they may ask for those things that you will be pleased to give them, and that their praise will be filled with holy joy; through our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

F. Place for Reading the Scriptures and Preaching. (The Lecturn).

Father, we pray that everyone who is to read and preach your Word here will be filled with your Holy Spirit; so that many sinners will turn from their evil ways and that believing people will be strengthened in their faith in you; through Jesus Christ our Saviour and our Lord. Amen.
 

BLESSING THE SANCTUARY—Place for receiving
Holy Communion

Lord we pray that those who will receive the Holy Sacrament of your Body and Blood will come with a true heart, a living faith and a holy love, so that their sins may be forgiven, and they may receive all the blessings of Christ, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
 

BLESSING THE ALTAR.

My dear people, we pray to our Father in heaven that he will hear our prayers, and, of his great goodness, to bless and make holy this altar now to be dedicated. May our Lord be pleased with all the gifts of his servants that will rest on it, and may he hear the prayers that they make in this holy place.

It is good and right that we should give all praise and glory and thanksgiving to you, Father in heaven, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, for you are with us in worship, and you deserve to receive honour and glory throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Lord bless and dedicate this altar to your service and as a continual sign of the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, and of his rising again to life eternal: who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Then the Bishop shall set the sign of the cross five times on the altar as is the custom; then all will say:

Our Father in heaven hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven,
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.

Then the altar will be covered with a white cloth, and candlesticks etc. may be placed on it.

Then the bishop shall say: Let us pray.

Merciful Lord, we ask you to accept the offerings that we make, for they are not ours but yours. All things come from you, and all things we give back to you. May these simple objects be made holy by your blessing, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

If the dedication is not followed immediately by the Holy Eucharist, the Sermon will be preached now.
 

THE DEDICATION.

The people kneel. The bishop stands before the altar and faces the people.

Bishop: Let us pray.

May the Holy Spirit of God be present in the dedication which we his servants make to glorify his Name.
God the Father who rules over all the world; God the Son, who builds, strengthens and defends the church; Blessed Spirit whose presence brings new life to all things;
Holy blessed and glorious Trinity, you give purity, power and beauty to your creation.
We ask you with your great power to make holy this building and all that is within it, you who live and rule one God, for ever. Amen.
As members of the Church of God, we can now say that this church is dedicated and set apart from all common uses, under the dedication of ...... in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lord, as members of your church we have dedicated this place to you. We ask that through your mercy the power of the Holy Spirit may always be present here, O Blessed Lord who lives, and rules over all things for ever. Amen.
 

THE BLESSING. (If the Eucharist does not follow).

THE EUCHARIST.

The Collect.

God, by your goodness we celebrate the dedication of this church: send down on us your heavenly blessing, and make us living examples of your holiness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE EPISTLE: 1 Peter 2 vvs 1-5.
THE GOSPEL Matthew 21 vvs 12-16

Special Thanksgiving

And now we give you thanks,
Because you are greater than the heavens, and you spread your glory through all the world: yet you still think it good to make holy places for your worship, and in them give gifts of grace to your faithful people ...

Before the Blessing the following prayer shall be said:

Almighty God, you have built your church on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone; give us grace to be joined to them and their teaching, that our bodies will become living examples of the love of God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.